The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute a $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation. The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is the Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. On May 30, 2023 the York East Rotary Club had the honor and pleasure of recognizing Hunter Mink, Todd King, Bob Elser, Friedel Liebe-Elser, Jim Norton, Roger and Vicki Dick.

Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.  

June 6, 2023 – Elizabeth Miller, Development Director for Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, shared the story of the Golden Venture ship that went aground in New York with over 700 Chinese immigrants seeking asylum in 1993. The York community responded to the indefinite detention of the Golden Venture passengers with impassioned legal advocacy and a vigilant spirit of community support. Their outrage fueled a shared commitment to have equal access to justice.  From this resolute belief in justice, the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center was formed with the mission of providing equal access to justice to those who have no voice. The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief of equal access to justice, works to protect immigrants’ rights to freedom and opportunity in the United States and saves the lives of the most vulnerable immigrants. PIRC provides free, effective legal representation, legal counsel, education, and advocacy to help immigrants obtain or protect their legal status. The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center provides comprehensive legal services to immigrants facing removal or detention, focusing its services on immigrants detained in the York County Prison and the Berks Family Shelter. PIRC relays on volunteers and pro bono partners for their incredible dedication to vulnerable immigrants in Pennsylvania. Volunteers and pro bono partners provide priceless legal services, translation/interpretation support, medical and psychological services, and administrative support. Volunteers come from all walks of life – interns, undergraduate students, law students, doctors, community members. Their work is meaningful and appreciated!  Today PIRC continues to serve as a light in the darkness, a voice for the most vulnerable among us, and an advocate for those least able to access justice.

June 13, 2023 – For Kevin Smith, Friday started with an ordinary trip to the grocery store. "I picked up a few items at Weis Markets, drove immediately home, walked in the door, reached in my back pocket. My wallet wasn't there," he said. Smith thought he may have left his wallet in his car, so he walked to the garage. But the wallet wasn't there. "And then I started to panic," he said. Smith isn't exactly sure where he dropped his wallet. He thinks it must have fallen out somewhere in the parking lot. "And I was about ready to drive back to Weis Markets in the hopes that I might find it," he said. At about that same time, Smith's Ring doorbell picked up images of a young woman carrying a wallet. She shows the contents are still intact. "And I hear this voice saying, 'Excuse me,' at my garage door," Smith said. The woman, who only identified herself as Brooke, told Smith she picked up the wallet, found his address on his driver's license and decided to hand deliver it to him. "God's angels are everywhere, but in that moment, certainly Brooke was one of them to me," Smith said. Kevin reached out to the local news media to share his act of kindness with WGAL reporting the story.

The gesture inspired Smith, and he's hoping it'll inspire others as well." Be a good neighbor. Be a good friend. Be a good stranger, like Brooke was to me. And it's amazing how those random acts of kindness can make such a big difference," he said. There will more in the future about this act of kindness!

June 15th, 2023 –   Both the York East Rotary Club and the York Revolution ball team hit a home run as the team won their fourth straight, completing a sweep of the Lancaster Barnstormers with a 5-3 win on Thursday evening at WellSpan Park. The Revs (26-16) increase their first place lead in the North Division to a season-high 1.5 games with the win and will welcome the division rival Long Island Ducks for a weekend series beginning Friday night. Club members had a fun filled evening of food and camaraderie.

June 20, 2023 - Country Meadows President & CEO Michael Leader reflected on his family’s history and achievements. During his 95 years, his father, George M. Leader—founder of Country Meadows wore many different hats: Naval officer, poultry farmer, State Senator, Governor of Pennsylvania, senior care founder and CEO, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was best known as former Governor of Pennsylvania (1955 to 1959), because he was credited with introducing many reforms during his administration. Throughout his life he continued to have an interest in state government. In 2012, he helped to sponsor a major reform to Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, something for which he had advocated for over a decade. As recently as two months before he passed away, he took part in an initiative by five former governors in support of merit selection of the state’s appellate judges. As governor, his father was especially drawn to serve vulnerable citizens in need of better support. Older adults with healthcare needs were among those who drew his attention. The result was creation of the state Commission on Aging—forerunner of today’s Department of Aging—and annual inspection and tighter regulation of nursing homes. Continuing the Leader family legacy at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Mr. Leader announced that his niece, Meredith Mills as its new president & CEO. Mills is the granddaughter of former Pennsylvania Governor. Mills moves into this role formerly he held for more than 30 years leading the organization. He will transition into a new position as Executive Chairman. “I have every confidence in handing over our organization’s leadership to my niece”.